Hopper gate adjusting means



March 14, 1944. H. A. HOKE HoPPR GATE ADJUSTING MEANS 4 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Jan. 19, 194? N Nm @M l I l l I l P l I I I Il ll `mwa/won: Har/3A H025 e,

ATTORNEYS.

BYl

v March 14, 1944. H A, HOKE 2,344,040

HOPPER GATE AD-JUSTINGJ/ MEANS Filed Jan. 19,1942 4 sheets-sheet 2 9\`\ Z3 .2l 2f fw 1,@ uw ,I 1J@ 1,5 22M ATTORNEYS.

March 14, 1 944. H A, HQKE HOPPER GATE ADJUSTING MEANS Filed Jan. 19, '1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.- Ha/y-MJ/e. BY m fawQ ATTORNEYS.

W I TNESSES:

March 14, 1944. H. A. HOKE HoPPER 4GATE AnJusTING MEANS Filed Jan. 19, 1942 4 sheets-sheet 4' 'JIL' A TTORNE YS.

Patented Mar. 14, 1944 Harry A. Hoke, Altoona, Pa., assgnor to The Pennsylvaniav Railroad Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation4 of Pennsylvania Application January 19, 1942, Serial No. 427,225

14 Claims.

This invention relates to gate adjusting means for gravity discharge hoppers and the like, and it has reference more especially to gate adjusting mechanism for the coal hoppers of automatic locomotive boiler feed stokers.

In connection with such gate adjusting'mechanism for hoppers of the kind mentioned, l aim to secure the advantagesof manufacturingeconorny resulting from simplified construction; and to insure against the possibility of: accidental displacement of the gates in adjusted positions. Another object of my invention. is to attain the above desiderata in gate adjusting mechanism which is immune against derangement or clog'- ging in the presence of dust or grit, so that it may be relied upon to function properly under all conditions of service in the event that regue lation of coal flow through the hopper outlet should become necessary or desirable.

How the foregoing and other important objects and advantages may be readily realized in practice will appear from the following detailed description of the attached drawings, wherein., Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a locomotive coal tender with hopper gate adjusting mechanism conveniently embodying my invention in one form, portions of the hopper structure being broken away and shown in horizontal sec.- tion to expose underlying parts of the adjusting mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary View in cross section taken as indicated by the angled arrows II-II in Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 and 4 are views like Figs. 1 and 2lshowing an alternative embodiment of my invention; and

Figs. 5, 6 and '7 are views corresponding to Figs. 1 and 3, showing other forms of my invention.

The locomotive tender illustrated in Figs... 1 and 2 for convenience of exemplifying one form of my improvedA adjusting mechanism is gener'- ally of conventional construction, the coal storage portion thereof having the configuration of -a hopper 9 with a vertical front end wall l0., a rear end wall Il and side walls I2 and I3, which rear end and side walls al1 slope downwardly andinwardly toward the floor i4 of said hopper. Extending longitudinally of the bottom, of the hopper is a central slot-like discharge. opening l5 by way of which the coal gravitates into an underlying conduit I6 with a stoker feed. screw Il therein for conveying the coal to the fire boxl (not shown) of the locomotive boiler. For the purpose of controlling the amount of coal passing through the opening l5, there isv illustrated a divided gate consisting in this instance of two components IS, IB which underlie the hopper' floor I4 and which are supported for lateral sliding movement toward and away from each other in a common horizontal planeV in guideways 2l secured to the underside of said hopper floor. In Figs. l and 2 the gates are shown in fully closed position with their contiguous inner edges abutting.

. The means which I have illustrated in Figs, 1 and 2 for shifting each gate component I8 in accordance with my invention, includes a pair of bell' crank levers 22 which are spaced lengthwise of the hopper 9 and which are fulcrumed to swing about xed pivots 23 respectively. As shown, these pivots 23 are supported by bars 25. which extend crosswise between pendent side plates4 26 of the hopper structure. The inner arms of the bell cranks 22 are connected by means of short links 2l to the gate component I8, while the outer arms of said bell cranks are connected to a longitudinally extending link 28 through pivots 29. One of these pivots 29, i. e., the right hand one in Fig. 1, is in turn coupled by a shorter longitudinally extending link 30 with the inner end of a slide bar 3l which extends outwardly through a guide bearing 32 on the front end wall l0 of the hopper. The cylindric outerv endof the slide bar 3| is threaded as at 33 and engaged by a nut sleeve 35 having heads 36 and 31 at its opposite ends which engage a lixed stop member 38 in which the sleeve is supported for rotation. Ad'- justment of the gate I8 is effected by rotation of the sleeve- 35 in one direction or the other by means of a suitable tool or wrench. applied to the.

polygonal head 37 of said sleeve. Depending upon the direction of rotation of the sleeve 35, the link 28 is moved endwise either to the'right or to the left to open or close the gate component I8V through swinging motion concurrently imparted to the bell cranks 22 in a manner readily understood from Fig. 1. Due to the interposition of the short link 3u, the longer link 28 can move laterally slightly to. accommodate the motion of the bell cranks 22, while the links 2l compensate for the angular movementv of the inner arms of said bell cranks, so that no binding can take place during the adjustment of the gate component. The above description and operation of course. apply equally to the duplicate ad-A justing means for the companion gate component, |87.

The alternative form of gate adjusting mechanismshown in Figs. fand 4includes for each gate` component,v Ella, a spindle.V 28a which is provided with screw threads. 33a. at opposite ends thereof. Engaging the screw threads 33a are nut sleeves 22a which through links 2in and 40y are respectively connected to the gate component Ilia and to the pivot bearings ZEa'aixed to the lower side-plates Zic of thehopper structure. Through a universal jointed link 36a, the front end of each screw spindle 28a is coupled with a short shaft 3Ia journaled. for rotation in a bearing 32a at. the front wall lila of the hopper. The short. shaft responding shaft 3 |a in one direction or the other ,f y

as required to open or close the gate component |8a to accomplish which a wrench applied to the squared front end 4| of said shaft may be employed. Rotation of the short shaft 3|a is communicated through the link 30a to the screw spindle 28a with the result that thenut sleeves 22a are shifted either forward or backward depending on the direction of shaft rotation. As the nut sleeves, 22a are so moved, the links 21a and lill will allow for lateral shifting `of Vthe spindle28a with impartation at the same time of corresponding movement to the gate componentV |8a. All the other elements in Figs. 3 and 4 not-specifically mentioned but having Vtheir counterparts in Figs.A land 2 are identified by the same reference numerals previously employed with -the addition of the letter a in each instance for convenience of distinction.

'In theform lof my invention illustrated in Fig.

5the spindle 28h is journaled in fixed bearings 32h and held from shifting axially by collars 3617 and `3`.'b which engage the opposite ends of the bearing '321). At its outer end beyond the front wall of the hopper the spindle 28h is fashioned to polygonal configuration at 4|b for actuating wrench application, and at spaced points intermediate its ends provided with contiguous right and left threaded portions 33D and 5| which are respectively engaged by nut sleeves 22h and 52. As shown, the nut sleeves of each pair are coupled by means of links 2lb and 53 with the corresponding gate component |8b, the links of each Pair having acommon pivotal connection with the gate component at 54. 4Thus, with this arrangement, as the spindle 28h is turned in one direction or the other, the nut sleeves 22b and 52 of the respective pairs either approach each other or separate with the result that either thrust or pull is induced in the links 2lb and 53 to shift the corresponding gate component |8b toward or away from its mate. For convenience 'of assembling the structure of Fig. 5, the nut sleeves 22h and 52 are preferably splitfaxially and their component halves held togetherfby the pivot bolts at 55 and 55. Here again all the elements not specifically referred to but having their counterparts in Fig. 1 are identified by the same refer# ence lnumerals previously employed with the letter b added in each instance.

In 6, the spindle `28c has screw portions 33e with threads extending in one direction only and engaged by single nut sleeves 22C as in Fig. 3, the spindle being however confined against axial movement as in Fig. 5. A further difference to be noted in Fig.`6 is that Vwhile two links 21o and 53o are here employed with each nut sleeve 22o, one of each such pairs of links is pivotally connected at 23c to a fixed portion 25e-of the hopper structure, and that the common pivotal connecten 54o for each pair of the links is coupled by means of a short link 21o with the corresponding gate component |8c. With the arrangement of Fig. 6 it will be apparent that upon turning of the spindle 28o in one direction, the nut sleeves 22o and the links 21o and 53o will be caused to assume the positions shown in dot and dash lines to shift the corresponding gate component -Hic to open position. Turning of the spindle` 28o in the opposite direction will obadded in each instance.

The modification shown in Fig. -7 is like that of Fig. 1 except that here the link 28d is conned to endwise movement in fixed guides 'I0 and 1| and itself formed with a screw threaded end 33d which extends through the front wall of the hopper for engagement by an actuating nut sleeve 35d which is held against axial shifting by the parts. 32d and 38d. Binding at the pivots 29d is precluded Vthrough provision of clearance slots 12 in the outer arms of the bell cranks 22d. In all other respects it will be noted thatthe modication of Fig. '7 is identical with the rst described embodimentl of my invention featured in Fig. 1.

It is to be particularly noted that the various forms of my invention here illustrated are all eX- tremely simple in their construction and can therefore be very economically manufactured and applied. In each instance, a screw device is employed as the adjusting means so that the gates cannot accidentally be displaced from adjusted positions 'through jars or vibrations incident to travel of the tender over irregularities in the track rails. By employing screw means and simple linkage devices as herein shown in lieu of gearing, I preclude derangement of the adjusting means by dust or grit, so that adjustments may be made from time to time without difculty as conditions of use may require.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. Gate adjusting mechanism for the coal hopper of a locomotive tender having a bottom outlet and a gate which is lshiftable laterally to control flow into an underlying stoker feed conduit, Vsaid mechanism including a screw element movable endwise in a direction at right-angles to the direction of gate movement; interposed connections for translating the endwise movements of said element into lateral movements of the gate to shift said gate to open or closed position; and operating means for the screw element rotatively supported on the wall of theV hopper at the front end of the tender.

2. Gate adjusting mechanism for the coal hopper of a locomotive tender having a bottom out let and a divided gate with two componentsl which are shiftable laterally toward and away from each other to control iiow into an underlying stoker feed conduit, said mechanism com-l shift such component to open or closed position.

3. Adjusting mechanism for a laterally shiftable hopper outlet gate comprising a link which is movable endwise in a direction at right-angles to the direction of gate movement; screw -means confined to axial movement for moving the link as aforesaid and to which the link is pivotally connected at one end; and interposed connections for converting the endwise movements of the link into lateral movements of the gate to shift it to open or closed position, including a bell crank lever having one of its arms coupled with the gate and its other arm pivotally coupled with the other end of the link.

4. Adjusting mechanism for a laterally shiftable hopper outlet gate comprising a link which is movable endwise in a direction at right-angles to the direction of gate movement; a threaded shaft coupled with the link; a nut sleeve confined against axial movement and engaging the threads of the shaft to shift the link endwise; and interposed connections for translating the endwise movements of the link into lateral movements of the gate to shift it to open or closed position, including a bell crank which is fulcrumed to rock on a fixed pivot, said bell crank having one of its arms coupled with the gate through a short link and its other arm coupled directly with the iirst mentioned link.

5. Hopper gate adjusting mechanism according to claim 4, including multiple bell cranks and short links between the iirst mentioned link and the gate.

6. Gate adjusting mechanism for a hopper having a bottom outlet and a divided control gate fo-r the outlet with two components which are shiftable laterally toward and away from each other, said mechanism comprising, for actuating each gate component, a link which is movable endwise in a direction at right-angles to the direction of gate movement; screw means conned to axial movement for moving the link as aforesaid and to which the link is pivotally connected at one end; and interposed connections for translating the endwise movements of the link into lateral movements of the gate component to shift it to open or closed position, including a bell crank lever whereof one arm is coupled with the gate and the other arm is pivotally coupled with the other end of the link.

7. Gate adjusting mechanism for a hopper having a bottom outlet and a divided gate with two components which are shiftable laterally toward and away from each other to control iiow through said outlet, said mechanism comprising for actuating each gate component, a link which is movable endwise in a direction at right-angles to the direction of gate movement; a threaded shaft coupled with the link, a nut sleeve conined against axial movement and engaging the threads of the shaft for shifting the link endwise; and interposed connections for translating the endwise movements of the link into lateral movements of the corresponding gate component to shift it to open or closed position, including a bell crank lever which is fulcrumed to rock on a iixed pivot, said bell crank lever having one of its arms coupled to the gate by means of a short link and its other arm coupled directly with the rst mentioned link.

8. Gate adjusting mechanism for a hopper having a bottom outlet and a laterally shiftable gate to control flow through said outlet, said mechanism comprising a rotatable spindle which is disposed at right-angles to the direction of gate movement and confined against axial movement; a nut sleeve engaging screw threads on the spindle; and interposed connections for translating the endwise movements of the nut sleeve into lateral movements of the gate to shift it to open or closed position, including a pair of links whereof one is connected to the nut sleeve and to the gate land the other is connected to the nut sleeve and to a fixed portion of the hopper structure.

9. Gate adjusting mechanism for a hopper havingr a bottom outlet and a laterally shiftable gate to control flow through said outlet, said mechanism comprising a spindle disposed at rightangles to the direction of gate movement and confined against axial movement; means for rotating the spindle including a shaft confined to rotation in a fixed part of the hopper strucsture, and a coupling link having universal connections respectively with the spindle and the shaft; a nut sleeve engaging a screw thread on the spindle; and interposed connections for translating the endwise movements of the nut sleeve into lateral movements of the gate to shift it to open or closed position, including a pair of links, whereof one connects the nut with the gate and the other connects the nut with a xed portion of the hopper structure.

l0. Adjusting mechanism according to claim 9, in which nut sleeves are duplicated at intervals along the spindle and each coupled by links respectively with the gate and the fixed portion of the hopper structure.

ll. Gate adjusting mechanism for a hopper having a bottom outlet.v and a divided g-ate with two components which are shiftable laterally toward and away from each other to control flow through said outlet, said mechanism comprising a screw spindle for each gate component extending at right angles to the direction of gate movement; means whereby the spindle may be rotated; a nut engaging the threads on each spindle; and interposed connections for converting the endwise movements of the nut sleeve into lateral movements of the corresponding gate component to shift the latter to open and closed positions, including a pair of links, one connecting the nut sleeve with the gate component and the other connecting said sleeve with a xed portion of the hopper structure.

l2. Gate adjusting Vmechanism for a hopper having a bottom outlet and a laterally shiftable gate to control iiow through said outlet, said mechanism comprising a rotatable spindle which is disposed at right-angles to the direction of gate movement and which has right and lefthand threaded portions; nut sleeves respectively engaging the right and left-hand threaded portions of the spindle; and means connecting the nuts and the gate and operative to translate the relative movements of the nuts axially away from or toward each other as the spindle is rotated in one direction or another to shift the gate to open or closed position.

13. Gate adjusting mechanism for a hopper having a bottom outlet and a laterally shiftable gate to control flow through ysaid outlet, said mechanism comprising a rotatable spindle which is disposed at right-angles to the direction of gate movement and which has right and lefthand threaded portions; nut sleeves respectively engaging the right and left-hand threaded portions of the spindle; and links respectively connected at one end with the nut sleeves and having their other ends connected to a common pivot on the gate.

14. Gate adjusting means according to claim 13, in which the spindle has multiple right and left-hand threaded portions along its length, and in which the associated nut sleeve and the links are correspondingly duplicated.

HARRY A. HOKE. 

